Impact of the heartfulness program on stress and sleep among healthcare professionals: Pre experimental study.

Background: Healthcare professionals (HCPs) worldwide suffer from stress and poor sleep and the COVID-19 pandemic has further raised these issues. This study sought to determine whether HCPs had reduced stress and increased sleep quality while participating in a heartfulness meditation program. Subjects and Methods: For a 2-month (8 weeks) heartfulness meditation program, we included 41 individuals in a prospective one-group pretest post-test intervention design from February 2023 to April 2023. Scores on the Perceived Stress Scale and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were gathered at baseline and 8 weeks. Forty-one (76%) of the 54 participants completed this study for 8 weeks. Results: Results showed a substantial decline in stress (preintervention mean ± standard deviation [SD] = 20.54 ± 4.46; postintervention mean ± SD = 18.42 ± 6.14; t-value = -1.947 [0.05*]) and improvement in sleep quality (preintervention mean ± SD = 6.63 ± 3.82; postintervention mean ± SD = 5.29 ± 2.44) among HCPs after following this 8-week heartfulness meditation program. In the end, a substantial decrease in perceived stress score and an improvement in the sleep quality index was found. Conclusion: Additionally, practicing heartfulness meditation may aid in developing the traits of empathy, acceptance, and inner serenity. We draw the conclusion that more extensive research is required to fully understand the impact of heartfulness meditation practice.

Utilization of Smartphones and Attitude Regarding Their Use at the Workplace by Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: The use of personal smartphones in healthcare settings is widespread, with nurses often integrating these devices into their profession's practices. This study addresses the utilization of and attitudes toward smartphone use among nurses in the workplace. METHODS: This study uses a descriptive cross-sectional design and includes 258 nurses from various departments in a tertiary care teaching and research hospital in India. Data was collected using Google Forms (Google LLC, Mountain View, California, United States) through a socio-demographic questionnaire and two scales: "Utilization of Smartphones at Workplace" and "Attitude Regarding Smartphone Use at Workplace." RESULTS:  The findings indicate that a significant proportion (64.3%) of participants use their smartphones for less than an hour at the workplace. Notably, a substantial majority (78.7%) agree that employers should implement a policy regarding smartphone use. Additionally, 34.1% use their smartphones for personal reasons for less than an hour, with 24.4% specifically engaging in social media use with a statistically significant difference (p <0.05). CONCLUSION: The study finds an enormous gap in nurses' smartphone use, with a greater emphasis on personal and social media activities than professional responsibilities. Establishing a collaborative regulatory framework is essential for aligning smartphone use with patient care obligations and ensuring a balance between possible benefits and risks.

Assess perception, practice and lived experiences on use of corrective braces among parents of children diagnosed with clubfoot: A mixed method study.

BACKGROUND: Congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) is a congenital musculoskeletal deformity, which further leads to abnormal alignment of the feet in children. The aim of the present study is to assess perception and practice and explore lived experiences on the use of corrective braces among parents of children diagnosed with clubfoot. MATERIAL AND METHODOLOGY: A mixed method study approach with convergent parallel research design was used on 100 parents of children with clubfoot. For the quantitative strand, a total enumerative sampling technique was used to collect the data using self-structured tools-a 5-point Likert scale on perception and a checklist on practice at the clubfoot clinic of a selected tertiary care hospital, Rishikesh. For the qualitative strand, a purposive sampling technique was used to conduct the in-depth interview until data saturation from 17 participants using a semi-structured questionnaire. Analysis was done using the SPSS 23.0 software, descriptive statistics with the use of frequency %, whereas for correlation, Pearson's correlation coefficient was used. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 31 years with a mean score of 30.54 ± 4.97. Among parents, 93% showed positive perception with a mean score of 67.16 ± 6.23 and 64% followed appropriate practice with a mean score of 12.44 ± 1.45. Coefficient correlation showed a statistically weak positive correlation between perception and practice (P < 0.001). The lived experiences of parents were reflected under six main themes, i.e., "personal experiences with wearing braces for correction," "encounters and barriers," "effects on one's social and personal life," "perceived answers," "any other previous practice," and "awareness about clubfoot." CONCLUSION: Present study concluded that parents had a positive perception and appropriate practice on the use of corrective braces, but there were a few issues such as relapse due to non-adherence, financial burden, and traveling distance, and noticeably more, which need to be addressed. Parental information is a very essential component that should be addressed by all treating physicians and nursing officers before starting treatment for clubfoot.

Knowledge Regarding Hypertension and Amount of Diet Consumption Among Adults From Uttarakhand: A Comparative Survey.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is becoming more common worldwide, and by 2025, its incidence is predicted to rise by 32.4%. The present study aims to assess the knowledge related to hypertension and the amount of diet consumption among adults at risk of developing hypertension in both rural and urban areas of Uttarakhand. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 667 adults at risk of hypertension. The study sample included adults selected from the rural and urban communities of Uttarakhand. A semi-structured questionnaire on knowledge regarding hypertension and self-reported amount of diet consumption was used as a tool for data collection. RESULTS: The mean age of participants in this study was 51.46 ± 1.44 years, and the majority of the participants had poor knowledge regarding hypertension as a disease and its consequences as well as preventive measures. The mean days for consumption of fruits were three days, four days for green vegetables, two days for eggs, and two days for a well-balanced diet, and the mean ± SD of a non-vegetarian diet consumption was 128 ± 182 gm. Another highlighted significant mean difference was found between knowledge of raised blood pressure with the amount of consumption of fruits, green leafy vegetables, a non-vegetarian diet, and a well-balanced diet. CONCLUSION: In the present study, knowledge of blood pressure and raised blood pressure with its related factors was poor among all participants. The average consumption of all types of diet was two to three days a week, which was borderline, based on recommended dietary allowances. The knowledge related to raised blood pressure and its associated factors had significant mean differences for the mean consumption of fruits, non-vegetarian diet, and well-balanced diet.

A descriptive study to assess knowledge related to hypertension and its impact upon exercises and sleep pattern among adults from communities of Uttarakhand.

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension nowadays is a major community health problem. It is high prevalence, which becomes an important area of research which is also a major possibility for circulatory diseases and other complications. It is a silent killer, which does not show any warning sign until a severe medicinal crisis occurs. The study aims to assess the knowledge regarding hypertension and its effect on the amount of exercise and sleep among adults at risk of hypertension from both rural and urban communities of Uttarakhand. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A descriptive cross-sectional research design with the total sample size was calculated as 542 adults at risk of hypertension. A purposive sampling method was used for sample selection in this study. A semi-structured questionnaire regarding knowledge related to hypertension and amount of exercise and sleep patterns was administered as tools for data collection. Analysis was done by using SPSS 23.0 version software, descriptive statistics with the use of frequency %, inferential statistics with Chi-square test, and P value ≤ 0.05 considered as significant. RESULTS: Majority (58%) of them were male, living with a nuclear family with very poor educational status. It showed that whenever they have free time, only then they were performing simple work without having any experience with regular exercise and yoga. Less than half of them (45%) were having good knowledge about increased blood pressure is a disease, medical management, and how to prevent it. Knowledge regarding hypertension showed significant association with less amount of exercise (use of a motored vehicle to going to job/work) (p value = 0.0001*) and satisfactory pattern of sleep among adults at risk of hypertension (p value = 0.001*). CONCLUSION: In this study, a lack of education and very poor knowledge regarding the management of hypertension found to be associated with less amount of exercise but satisfactory sleep among adults at risk of hypertension.

Assessment of Vitamin D Levels and Other Bone Related Biochemical Markers in Healthy Adults in Rural Population of Uttarakhand, India.

Despite being close to equator and receiving sufficient sun rays, evidences revealed that Indians have severe deficiency of vitamin D (vit D) ranging from 41 to 100% in different geographical locations. Therefore, in this study levels of 25(OH)D (physiologically measurable form) along with other bone metabolism associated biochemical markers were determined in serum sample of 300 apparently healthy study subjects (rural) from Doiwala block of Dehradun district in the state of Uttarakhand. Demographic data was also obtained based on a structured questionnaire to establish an association between 25(OH)D levels and various dietary and socio-cultural factors. Results demonstrated that of all study subjects, 197 (65%) had 25(OH)D levels below < 12 ng/mL (deficient) and 65 (21%) had 25(OH)D levels between 12 and 20 ng/mL (insufficient) with all other markers falling within respectively established reference ranges. Further, in univariate analysis, gender, occupation (indoor and outdoor), education were independently associated with vitamin D status. Additionally, parathyroid hormone associated significantly with gender and occupation, while calcium associated significantly with gender, occupation and education. Lastly, regression analysis revealed that gender and occupation independently associated with vitamin D status of subjects. In conclusion, apparently healthy subjects showed considerable vitamin D deficiency thereby generating an urgent need for formulating and implementing better government policies for enrichment of vitamin D levels among rural adults of Uttarakhand in future. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12291-022-01048-6.

A randomized controlled trial to assess the effect of isotonic normal saline versus water post-Ryles Tube feeding for correcting hyponatremia among ICU patients at tertiary care hospital: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of isotonic normal saline (NS) versus water post-Ryles Tube (RT) feeding upon hyponatremia and blood parameters in Intensive Care Units (ICU) admitted patients. METHODS: A parallel group randomized controlled trial design. The total sample size taken for this pilot trial was N = 50 as a thumb rule (n = 25 in each arm) selected by using a simple random sampling method. The sample was ICU-admitted patients with mild and moderate hyponatremia.at tertiary care hospital, Rishikesh. Intervention-20 mL Isotonic 0.9% normal saline (NS) among the experimental group vs. 20 mL water in the control group after each 9 am Ryles tube feeding respectively for three continuous days. At baseline and follow-up electrolytes, blood parameters, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), and blood pressures were assessed post-one hour of intervention daily for day-1, 2, 3 & 5. Data were analyzed by using descriptive & inferential statistics in the SPSS software 23.0 version. RESULTS: There was a significant difference found between the experimental and control groups for the post-test value of serum sodium levels, GCS, Systolic Blood Pressure, and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) at day 1 of administration of normal saline intervention with p-value < 0.0001. However, it was found significant at day 5 between both groups for the above-mentioned variables. CONCLUSION: The intervention of normal saline was found to be a cheaper and more effective remedy to treat hyponatremia and reduce mortality among ICU-admitted patients due to deterioration in bio-physiological parameters.

Pooled Prevalence of Long COVID-19 Symptoms at 12 Months and Above Follow-Up Period: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Current data suggests that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) survivors experience long-lasting problems. It is not yet understood how long these symptoms last. The goal of this study was to compile all the data that was currently available to evaluate COVID-19's long-term effects at 12 months and above. We looked for studies published by December 15, 2022, in PubMed and Embase that discussed follow-up findings for COVID-19 survivors who had been alive for at least a year. A random-effect model was carried out to determine the combined prevalence of different long-COVID symptoms. The Joanna Briggs Institute tool was used to assess the risk of bias for the included studies, and the I2 statistics were used to evaluate the heterogeneity. After reviewing 3,209 studies, 46 were deemed admissible, with an aggregate COVID-19 population of 17976. At 12 months and above, 57% of patients reported a minimum of one symptom, and the five most prevalent symptoms were: dyspnea on exertion (34%, 95% CI 0.2; 0.94); difficulty in concentration (32%, 95% CI 0.16; 0.52); fatigue (31%, 95% CI 0.22; 0.40); frailty (31%, 95% CI 0.06; 0.78); and arthromyalgia (28%, 95% CI 0.09; 0.6). The findings of the present study showed that at 12 months and beyond, a sizable fraction of COVID-19 survivors still have lasting symptoms that impair several body systems. Long-COVID patients require an urgent understanding of pathophysiological processes and the development of tailored treatments.

Assessment of patient's knowledge, attitude, and beliefs about cancer: An institute-based study.

INTRODUCTION: Knowledge about cancer, treatment, and likely treatment outcomes is critically important for decision-making regarding adherence to the treatment. Hence, it seems imperative to find out the attitude and belief of cancer patients to determine the efficacy of cancer diagnostic and treatment available along with assessing the efficacy of prevention. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of knowledge, belief, and attitude of cancer patients who came to our facility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was a descriptive cross-sectional study which was conducted at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, from July 2020 to December 2020. One hundred fifty-six newly diagnosed cancer patients were recruited. The participants were provided with a validated 44 key questionnaire divided into four different categories including the sociodemographic profile, knowledge, belief, and attitude subheading. Mean, frequency, percentage, and Chi-square test were calculated to do data analysis using SPSS version 23.0. RESULTS: Out of the total of 156 newly diagnosed cancer patients, only 130 patients provided responses so the overall response rate was 84.3%. Most of cancer patients had moderately adequate knowledge (79 [60.5%]), poor belief (111 [86%]), and neutral attitude (69 [54%]) regarding cancer. The Chi-square test revealed a link between educational level and cancer knowledge (P = 0.01). Males showed a more positive attitude than females, and this difference was statistically significant (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Cancer patients need to be made more aware of the red flag signs of cancer and improvise their attitude toward cancer. Cancer care programs should not only involve cancer patients but also involve their caregivers because the understanding of family members is of utmost importance to fight this disease.

Effect of Music Therapy on Pain, Anxiety, and Use of Opioids Among Patients Underwent Orthopedic Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background of the topic revealed that orthopedic surgery is one of the most painful surgeries in which music therapy is found to be effective for reducing pain and anxiety. This study aimed to examine the effect of music therapy on pain, anxiety, and the use of opioids among patients who underwent orthopedic surgery. Methods include a comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Ovid, Clinical Key, and Google Scholar for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies published until December 2020 in the English language regarding music therapy in comparison to standard care on pain, anxiety, and opioid use among postoperative orthopedic patients. Results of the study included 13 studies, having a total of 778 patients included in a systematic review comprising ten RCTs and three quasi-experimental studies. Meta-analysis was performed on ten RCTs. The results showed a significant difference between the two groups regarding the use of music therapy in reducing the pain [standard mean difference (SMD) = -0.27; p = 0.002] and anxiety (SMD = -0.40; p = 0.0009). No statistically significant difference was found in the use of opioids and physiological variables between the two groups. Conclusion of the current evidence demonstrated that music therapy significantly reduces pain and anxiety among postoperative orthopedic patients. Researchers recommended using it in the routine care of orthopedic patients for managing their subjective feelings like pain and anxiety. Musical intervention timing, duration, and type of music can be changed according to specific clinical settings and medical teams.

Prevalence and contributing factors for adolescent obesity in present era: Cross-sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent obesity is a very common issue in our culture. Recent studies have shown that this is a form of global burden that may predispose factors in advanced life for many other diseases. Adolescents are a positive force for a country, responsible for their future prosperity and also for their nations. OBJECTIVES: The main objective of the study was to identify the prevalence of obesity among adolescents and its diverse contributing factors. METHODS: The analysis was a cross-sectional sample method and was carried out using a sampling methodology which was not possible. Through using standardized questionnaires and using validated and calibrated heighometers and weighting devices, data was obtained from 385 participants. Body mass index (BMI) scale of the World Health Organization (WHO) has been used to create a category for obesity. BMI values greater than + 1 SD fall in the range of overweight, and levels of obese greater than + 2 SD. RESULTS: It was found that 6.8% of adolescents were obese and that about 17.1% were overweight. Remaining 53.8% percent had normal category of BMI and 22.3 percent were category of underweight. A significant association of gender, socioeconomic status, dietary habits, chocolate eating habits, mode of transportation to school, sports participants, physical activity, and screen time. Adolescents who were athletic enthusiasts and those who did physical activity had a good BMI. The teens who watched more than 2 h of screen time were more obese, and these were only a few reasons that were responsible for teenage obesity. CONCLUSION: Health care practitioners and policy makers need to be aware of the prevalence and contributing factor to teenage obesity. Adolescents will embrace practices such as healthy eating habits, avoiding smoking and physical inactivity. This obesity may increase their risk of developing chronic illnesses in adulthood and later life stage.

Effect of Vitamin B6, B9, and B12 Supplementation on Homocysteine Level and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Stroke Patients: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Globally, stroke is the fifth-most leading cause of mortality and also the third leading cause of disability. This study aimed to assess the effect of vitamin B6, B9, and B12 supplementation on homocysteine level, risk of stroke, cardiovascular disorders, and vascular death among stroke participants. An extensive literature search was done through PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Clinical key database from 1 January 2000 to 1 January 2020. Effect of vitamin B (B6, B9, and B12) supplementation on homocysteine was assessed with a mean difference in both vitamin and placebo groups. Risk ratio (RR) was calculated for determining the risk of stroke, major cardiovascular disorder, and vascular death by using a fixed-effect model. A total of eight trials with 8513 participants were included for the final analysis. Vitamin B supplementation intervention was found to have a significant benefit in reducing homocysteine in stroke patients (mean difference -3.84; p<0.00001). The intervention of vitamin B supplementation showed a significant risk reduction of 11% for combined risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, and vascular death among stroke patients, 13% for stroke and 17% for vascular death, whereas no beneficial effect was seen for cardiovascular disorders. This meta-analysis demonstrated up-to-date evidence on the beneficial effect of vitamin B supplementations in reducing homocysteine and preventing the combined risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, and vascular death among stroke patients.

Clinical nursing care guidance for management of patient with COVID-19.

COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease, which has human-to-human transmission through droplet and contact. It is commonly manifested as fever, dry cough, myalgia, and dyspnoea; the severity of this disease may range from mild, severe to a critical-illness. Currently, there is no definitive treatment or vaccine for COVID-19. The only proven form of management is isolation and supportive care. Therefore, nurses have a pivotal role to play in its management. This evidence-based comprehensive literature review provides the role of nurses in the management of patients with COVID-19, which starts from the initial assessment and triaging, sample collection, care of patients with mild-to-moderate symptoms, care of the critically-ill patient, and care of the dead body.